Microsoft to Offer Free Windows Anti-Virus Solutions

By: Mary Couchman
Staff Writer
Published: Nov 20, 2008

Microsoft has announced it will replace its Windows security and PC management service with free anti-virus software. Microsoft Windows OneCare will be replaced by the new anti-virus protections in July 2009. The software giant hopes to protect a greater number of consumers with the solution product solutions.

Microsoft Corp on Tuesday announced it will replace its current Windows OneCare service with free anti-virus solutions. Microsoft Windows OneCare is a subscription based service which will end starting July 2009.

The new anti-virus software is called Morro. The free solution will protect PCs running on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. The new anti-virus solutions will guard PC users against spyware, rootkits and Trojans.

"This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware," Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management in the online services division at Microsoft, said in statement.

Anti-virus software firms Symantec Corp and McAfee Inc saw their shares tumble on Wednesday. There are concerns that Microsoft's new anti-virus solutions would compete with their products. However, Microsoft said its Morro product only includes security protections against malware and is not a security suite.

Symantec and McAfee provide a complete suite of security which includes encryption, firewalls, password protection, parental controls and data backup programs. The free Microsoft anti-virus software does not have these features.